Allseas has started a five-year project to design, develop and deploy a small modular reactor (SMR) that would be tailored for integration into offshore vessels, in addition to onshore applications.
According to the company, the maritime sector accounts for 3% of global CO2 emissions. Alternative fuels under investigation or powering vessels, such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, are presently hampered by limitations in availability, scalability and cost.
Nuclear power, however, could combine zero emissions with a stable, scalable power supply.
Allseas is basing its R&D around high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) in the 25-MWe range, due to their inherently safe characteristics. This, the company explained, is a fourth-generation reactor technology that can generate energy without combustion or emissions.
HTGRs are powered by TRISO fuel particles, each a sphere the size of a poppyseed. Each particle contains a uranium oxide core, coated with protective ceramic layers that are said to securely contain fission products, even under extreme conditions.
The reactor self-regulates and remains stable, Allseas added, keeping temperatures well below critical thresholds. If a malfunction did occur, the system would automatically cool down and shut off without the need for active intervention or external cooling.
Allseas is also investigating the reuse of graphite and reprocessing of spent TRISO fuel to further reduce environmental impact, as waste management is a critical issue throughout the SMR lifecycle.
The nearby Delft University of Technology has been working on an inherently safe microreactor based on HTR technology for over a decade and is supporting the development.
Jan Leen Kloosterman, professor of Nuclear Reactor Physics and Department Head Radiation Science and Technology at the university, said the Dutch nuclear authority NRG PALLAS has been involved in a safety demonstration of pebble fuel containing TRISO.
“This has been successfully demonstrated for several clients in our High Flux Reactor in Petten,” Kloosterman said.
“TRISO fuel has been proven in several countries to be robust and safe under various conditions,” added Frederic Blom, manager Nuclear Compliance and Projects at NRG PALLAS.
Lloyd’s Register is also supporting Allseas in the project.
Allseas has put in place a five-year roadmap. In the first year, the goal is to finalize initial design studies for offshore and onshore use. The next steps include prototype development and pre-licensing discussions in consultation with relevant parties, including the International Maritime Organization, safety and classification societies, and other research institutes such as TNO.
The ultimate aim is to start production at a dedicated facility by 2030, probably with an initial onshore project while work on suitable offshore regulations is finalized. This could be followed by application on Allseas’ vessels and others in the industry adoption.
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